The Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band’s Journey to “The Big Meeting” CD

Bringing a musical soundscape of Durham Miners’ Gala to those near and far …

The initial concept of “The Big Meeting” CD came from the enjoyment and entertainment the Miners’ Gala brings to the thousands who flock the streets of Durham City on the second Saturday in July. Therefore, our next band project became the planning, recording and production of a CD filled with Miners’ Gala classics, immersing those from far and wide to enjoy the sounds of the iconic, heritage filled day.

With the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic locking down the UK in March 2020, plans for the CD initially halted. Although we were unable to rehearse or perform together for many months, we remained a strong support group for one another through regular Zoom quizzes and chats. During these virtual gatherings, it did not take long for the wheels to set in motion again as ideas for the CD became a new focus for the band.

Due to minimal fundraising opportunities in 2020, producing this CD would use a substantial amount of the band’s funds. However, with thanks to Crowdfunder’s free fundraising platform, the #SaveOurBrassBands campaign and promotion online and through radio broadcasting, over £3000 towards our CD project was raised throughout 2020/2021 thanks to the generous donations of supporters old and new, near and far.

Making music again

Lockdown restrictions began easing in England by spring/summer 2021, and the brass band movement was slowly reviving itself into a new ‘normality’. We were more than ready to get the next phase of the project started.

The band are always honoured to begin our gala day journey outside the gates of Redhills – The Pitman’s Parliament, and the next stage to bring the CD to life was no different. Marches, crowd favourites, hymns and reflective melodies filled the rafters of this historic and heritage filled building over two recording sessions in the summer and autumn of 2021.

With the disappointment of the cancellation of 150^th The Miner’s Gala for the second year running due to COVID-19 concerns, the brass sounds reverberating around Redhills, reminiscent of bands marching up Silver street and Saddlers Street, or echoing through the nave and transepts of Durham Cathedral, were spine-chilling and evocative.

A community project

Our community, like many others, saw a rise in unemployment and a lack of available work during the pandemic, especially for those in the arts and entertainment sectors. The band always receive great support from the community, and we wanted to ‘give back’ and try to make a difference to some of our local entrepreneurs through this project. This was fulfilled by offering the opportunity for a local artist and poets to win the chance to be a part of the project. There was a tremendous response, with numerous pieces of artwork and poetry submitted. From this, an artist and three poets won the competition and will feature on the CD. Not only that, but a local sound technician and production company were selected to help us achieve the final product.

Enjoy the music

“The Big Meeting” is a CD full of carefully selected pieces, chosen to reflect the journey of the bands and crowds through Durham City at the Miners’ Gala. Start the journey at Redhills, then onto the city with rousing marches, entertain the crowds in Durham Market Place and at the County Hotel with good old sing-alongs, then remember those who worked and died in the mines in the reflective Miners Service in Durham Cathedral.

Thanks to the support of The Durham Miners’ Association and The Marra’s, the CD release was celebrated on Saturday 21^st May 2022 at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham, with concert from the Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band.

Purchase a copy of the CD and immerse yourself in the sounds of The Big Meeting all year round!

Details of how to buy the CD will shortly be available from our FB page. Alternatively contact the band directly.

From Blackhall to Cheltenham

The Story of the original Blackhall Youth Brass Band by David Peel

On the 12^th March, just before the National Championship Regional Contest weekend, Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band held a joint concert with Blackhall Youth Band, and ensemble players from Durham University Brass Band. The youngsters from Blackhall showed amazing promise and the players from Durham University entertained the audience enormously. DMA band played a selection of pieces, including the test piece for the 2020 regional contest, The Golden Sabre. This joint concert lead one of our current players to look back on his time playing in the original Blackhall Youth Band.

Blackhall Youth Brass Band was formed in the late 1960’s and was conducted by Gerard Gregory. Soon after it amalgamated with the Easington Colliery youth section and conducting duties were taken over by Albert Haswell.

The band rehearsed at Blackhall Middle School and quickly grew in membership, and soon began contesting with Albert at the helm. In 1972, the band entered its first contest at the Teesside International Eistedfodd playing Indian Summer, but didn’t win. In 1974, the Band returned to the Eistedfodd (just after I joined on Solo Trombone) and played Rule Britannia, achieving victory over Hebden Bridge Junior Band, with Harry Mortimer adjudicating.

The band then competed at a number of contests and prestigious events over the following years:

The visit of “Sounds Fanfare” on an exchange visit with BYBB in April 1980 coincided with the last days of Albert’s life and he died during their visit. Just one month later, after a very poignant funeral, the band was gaining a creditable seventh place in the Senior Cup at Belle Vue with Albert’s successor, Cecil Peacock. A real tribute to Albert’s training of the Band.

Cecil introduced the band to the ways of the championship section, with the acquisition of sponsorship from AMOCO, the name of Blackhall Youth Brass Band disappeared.

During a visit to play at the East of England Show in Peterborough, the band were approached by a Rolls Royce Bentley dealership from Cheltenham called Broughtons Motors.  They asked us to play for them at the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival on their stand selling Rollers and Bentleys.  It was a marvellous experience and were playing Love Changes Everything when Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber came over to ask us if he would receive any royalties!  However, he did sign the score for us.

The AMOCO sponsorship came to an end shortly afterwards but following negotiations between Broughtons, Cecil Peacock and Dick Quinn, Broughtons decided to sponsor the band.

The Band continued to play at the Gold Cup Meeting for another 3 years and also at many other functions for Broughtons including a concert in their car showroom surrounded by brand new Rolls Royces & Bentleys and a vintage Rolls Royce/Bentley rally at the company heads house at Courteen Hall, Northamptonshire.  The Band were ferried to the job from their hotel in a fleet of brand new Rolls Royces.

In Memory of Albert Haswell